"Bill," he asked. "D'yer believe in spirits?"
"Prefer beer."
"Not them sort o' spirits, I don't mean. I mean spooks. D'yer believe in spooks, Bill?"
"People what sees spooks," said Bill dogmatically, "is liars, or boozed."
Grant's attitude was unpromising, but Alf was determined to persevere.
"What would yer say if I told yer I'd seen a spook, Bill?" he demanded.
"I'd say you'd 'ad a drop too much," was the uncompromising reply.
"An' if I saw it when I 'adn't 'ad a drop at all?"
Bill turned and regarded him.
"Look 'ere, Alf 'Iggins," he remarked acidly. "Yer worse'n a bloomin' kid f'r asking yer blighted silly questions. If you got anything to say, for 'Eaven's sake spit it out an' 'ave done with it."